Study Finds Female GIs Have a Higher Rate of Divorce

By Nottage and Ward on March 30, 2011

MSNBC recently reported on a study which found that the marriages of military women are twice as likely to end in divorce as compared to the marriages of men in the military, and up to three times as likely for enlisted women versus commissioned officers. The percentage of women in the military who get divorced has been consistently high for close to a decade.

Approximately 220,000 women have served in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan, in roles that range from police officers to helicopter pilots. According to Pentagon data, about 7.8 percent of military women obtained a divorce, in comparison to just 3 percent of men in the military in 2010. Close to 9 percent of women who were part of the military’s enlisted corps divorced that year as well, compared to a little over 3 percent of the men.

Another study published last year also discovered that, while military women are divorcing at a higher rate than women who are not in the military, military men divorce at a lower rate than men outside of the military. In addition, the study found that military women who were older (between the ages of 40 to 49) were about half as likely to be in their first marriage compared to civilian women of the same age.

It is not known why women in the military are more likely to divorce, though many believe a likely factor is pressure from society. Another speculation is that women who are attracted to military life are less conventional than civilian women and may be more reluctant to stay in a bad marriage.

If you are facing divorce in Illinois, contact the Chicago military divorce attorneys at Nottage and Ward to learn more about your legal options. For over 20 years, our lawyers have exclusively focused on family law matters, including divorce, and we can work diligently to ensure your rights are protected. To learn more, call 312-332-2915.